El Niño Kelvin wave could raise California sea levels by up to 1 foot
A Kelvin wave linked to El Niño is expected to raise California sea levels by up to 1 foot, increasing coastal flooding and erosion risks along the West Coast
🇺🇸 California Insurance News
Latest California insurance news from US insurers and regulators. Explore auto, home, life, P&C, pet and health insurance, including insurance rates, insights, trends, and breaking insurance news from the United States.
Greg Lui DOJ charges allege $300 mn Nvidia AI server smuggling
Greg Lui DOJ charges accuse the Earthmade Computer owner of routing over $300 mn in Nvidia AI servers to China through Malaysia and Singapore
Los Angeles asks LA28 to secure $650 mn cancellation insurance cover
Los Angeles has asked LA28 to obtain $650 mn in event cancellation insurance and cover losses above the limit ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games
Lyft to pay $272.5 mn in California driver settlement
Lyft will pay $272.5 mn to settle California claims that it misclassified drivers and denied wage and workplace protections under state law
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes two California wildfire insurance bills
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes SB 877 and SB 878, two homeowner insurance bills covering claim estimates and payment delays after total losses
Emtech launches QMT Oracle for insurance enterprise AI
Emtech launches QMT Oracle, a System Intelligence capability using its Digital Blueprint to give insurers trusted enterprise system knowledge for AI
Kelvin wave tied to El Niño is moving toward California, increasing coastal flood risk
A Pacific Kelvin wave tied to El Niño is moving toward California, with sea levels expected to rise by up to 1 foot and increase coastal flood risk
Insurtech Corgi expands trucking insurance program to towing businesses
Corgi expanded its trucking insurance program to tow-truck operators, combining auto liability, on-hook and garage keepers coverage in one policy
Jonathan Taylor Thomas arrested after Westlake Village DUI stop
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was arrested during a Westlake Village DUI stop after deputies accused him of obstruction and public intoxication
California sets wildfire smoke damage rules for home insurers
California approved new wildfire smoke-damage rules covering insurer testing, remediation and mortgage relief after more than 13,000 claims
California insurers pledge new policies as FAIR Plan stays near 697,000
California insurers have committed to new policies under catastrophe-model rules, while FAIR Plan enrollment remains near 697,000 amid a dispute over progress
Cozmo AI launches claims automation platform for P&C insurance claims
Cozmo AI launches a claims automation platform for restoration networks and TPAs, covering FNOL, estimating, documentation and invoice settlement
Checkr launches AI verification platform for US insurers
Checkr launches an insurance verification platform giving US carriers access to identity, driving and public records for faster risk pricing
California workers’ comp medical costs rise 5% in 2026
California workers’ comp medical costs per claim rose 5% in 2025, driven by higher prices, medical-legal services and non-fee-schedule costs
Insurtech RockRose Risk raises $12.5 mn Series A for wildfire insurance
RockRose Risk raised $12.5 mn to expand its wildfire insurance platform, property assessments and mitigation services across Western US markets
California uninsured population projected to double by 2030, raising pressure on insurers
Federal Medicaid and ACA cuts are projected to leave 4.6 mn Californians uninsured by 2030, raising pressure on hospitals, insurers and state finances
SUPERAGENT 3.0 brings vertical AI to insurance agencies
SUPERAGENT AI launches 3.0 with conversational workflows, call scoring, producer training, custom skills and human approval for agency changes
California wildfire insurance reform should focus on risk reduction
California’s homeowners insurance market is under pressure from wildfire losses, rising premiums and reduced coverage, while policymakers assess further reforms
Relation Insurance buys Gary McKeighan Insurance in California
Relation Insurance Services acquires Fresno-based Gary McKeighan Insurance, adding farm, ag and business insurance expertise in California
Green Shield expands home insurance program and launches Compass agent portal
Green Shield expands Guardian Elite Home in California and Colorado and launches Compass, a digital portal for high-value homeowners insurance agents
California telematics bill could reshape auto insurance pricing
California AB 311 would let auto insurers price optional telematics data, raising safety claims, privacy concerns and Prop. 103 objections
California FAIR Plan now insures more new home loans
California FAIR Plan coverage now appears in 5.6% of new California home loans as wildfire risk and insurance availability pressure buyers
Insurtech Corgi launched an Artist Residency Program for artists, illustrators, writers
Corgi Insurance launches an artist residency at Corgi Cafe, giving San Francisco creators workspace, tools and access to its startup network
Carpe launches AI claims suite for P&C insurers
Carpe Claims combines case management, image forensics, ad monitoring and claims intelligence for U.S. property and casualty carriers
Meta sued over AI-linked layoffs and disability claims
Former Meta workers allege AI-based layoff criteria penalized medical leave, disability and pregnancy. Meta denies AI made workforce decisions
Illinois joins California and New York with Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act
Illinois adopted AI safety rules for large model developers, adding risk reports, incident notices, audits and penalties up to $3 mn
23andMe breach settlement limits recovery to $18 mn claims and payouts
23andMe’s bankruptcy blocks California damages as 42 states secure an $18 mn settlement and customers receive $46.75 mn over the 2023 genetic data breach
California adopted a new workers’ comp advisory, rate rises 6.6%
California adopts a $1.65 workers’ comp advisory pure premium rate for September 2026, below WCIRB’s requested 10.4% increase
Farmers Insurance faces a California class-action lawsuit over rejected tracking cookies
Farmers Insurance faces a California class-action lawsuit alleging it placed third-party cookies after users rejected tracking on its website
California insurance race narrows to Jane Kim and Ben Allen
Jane Kim and Ben Allen advance in California insurance commissioner race as homeowners insurance reform dominates the 2026 campaign
California insurance commissioner race puts Kim and Allen ahead
Jane Kim and Ben Allen lead California’s insurance commissioner race, with Stacy Korsgaden close behind as wildfire coverage pressures shape voter priorities
California FAIR Plan raises home insurance rates 29% in October
California’s FAIR Plan will raise rates 29.1% for some homeowners as wildfire exposure, policy counts, and insurer pullbacks strain the market
California governor candidates focus on housing and insurance costs
California governor candidates are pitching plans on housing costs, home insurance, rebuilding, rent caps, and homelessness before the June primary
Trump administration withholds $1.3 bn in Medicaid funds from California
The Trump administration will withhold $1.3 bn in Medicaid payments from California and audit state fraud units over program oversight
California insurance commissioner race tests wildfire coverage
California’s insurance commissioner race turns on wildfire claims, State Farm, FAIR Plan pressure, and Jane Kim’s public disaster coverage proposal
California insurers seek home insurance rate hikes under wildfire risk model
Travelers and the Auto Club exchange seek California home insurance rate changes under the state’s 2025 wildfire risk model
California seeks penalties from State Farm over LA wildfire insurance claims
California says State Farm violated claims-handling laws after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, with penalties expected in the $ mn range
El Niño raises hurricane risk for Hawaii and California
AccuWeather expects an above-average 2026 Pacific hurricane season as warm ocean waters and El Niño conditions increase storm risks
Verisk says claims fell in 2025 as losses grew more concentrated
Verisk reported lower insurance claim volumes in 2025, though wildfire, motor theft, gig work and newer liability risks drove tougher loss patterns
Tesla sued over Cybertruck crash linked to electric door failures
Lawsuit alleges Tesla door systems trapped occupants in fatal Cybertruck crash, adding to growing scrutiny over electric door safety risks
Trump administration probes states over abortion insurance mandates
HHS investigates 13 states requiring abortion coverage, citing Weldon Amendment disputes and renewed federal enforcement stance
California bill proposes statewide rules for wildfire smoke insurance claims
California lawmakers introduced legislation designed to standardize how insurers handle wildfire smoke damage claims. The proposal follows major fires that contaminated thousands of homes
California FAIR Plan expands as insurers withdraw from lower-risk neighborhoods
California’s property insurance market shows growing strain as insurers retreat from areas once considered moderate wildfire risk
Police officers arrested in U.S. insurance fraud investigations tied to benefits claims
Two officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were arrested Friday on suspicion of unemployment insurance fraud linked to claims
California bill targets insurer hurdles for rare disease drugs
California lawmakers advance bipartisan bill to bar prior authorization and step therapy for FDA-approved rare disease treatments
California family accused of staging Porsche crash for $39K in insurance claims
Pasadena trio charged with felony insurance fraud after alleged staged Porsche crash netted $38,932 in claims, say California regulators
California auto insurance rates in 2026 jump over 30% since 2023
California drivers face auto premium hikes exceeding 30% in two years, driven by repair costs, heavier vehicles and inflation pressures
California bill targets wildfire non-renewals, adds 6-month notice
California lawmakers propose requiring insurers to give six months’ notice and specific reasons before dropping homeowners over wildfire risk
Insurtech Kin lifts GWP 28% to $635 mn as renewal base expands
Insurtech Kin reports 28% GWP growth to $634.4 mn, rising renewal premiums and improved operating margin despite softer insurance market conditions
US Labor Department probes California unemployment insurance program
The US Department of Labor announced formal steps to examine fraud and improper payment risks within California’s Unemployment Insurance program
California moves to tighten insurance rate-review intervenor rules under Prop 103
Ricardo Lara proposes stricter timelines, online disclosures, and revised fee standards for Administrative Hearing Bureau proceedings
House Bill 5608 weighs ban on credit scores in insurance underwriting
House Bill 5608 would bar use of credit history in rating, underwriting, cancellations across personal lines
California weighs first smoke damage standards for insurance claims
California lawmakers are reviewing Assembly Bill 1795, a proposal to establish the first statewide standards in the US for smoke damage insurance claims
Los Angeles wildfires reveal gaps in insurance wildfire risk models
Analysis of the Jan 2025 Los Angeles fires shows why fuel structure, access, and ember dynamics matter more than ignition risk for insurance underwriting
Insurtech Kin rolls out auto cover in Florida and Texas to enable bundling
Digital insurer Kin launches auto insurance for Florida and Texas homeowners, offering bundled savings of up to 20% in high-cost markets
Nevada’s Affordable Care Act enrollment slips 5.5% as subsidies fade, officials stay calm
Nevada Health Link reports stable ACA enrollment despite higher premiums and expired subsidies, with public option plans drawing 10% of signups
Lawmakers grill insurers over CEO pay as patients face rising costs
Bipartisan House members question health insurance CEOs on executive pay levels amid affordability pressures and frequent claim denials
Karen Bass says Trump oversteps on LA wildfire rebuild permits
LA Mayor Karen Bass pushes back on Trump’s executive order to speed wildfire rebuilding, saying permit control sits locally and insurers, FEMA need pressure
Jane Kim enters California insurance commissioner race with public option plan
Former San Francisco supervisor Jane Kim launches bid for California insurance commissioner, proposing a state-backed insurance option and tighter industry oversight
Insurtech Lemonade launches Autonomous Car Insurance for Tesla FSD drivers
Lemonade introduces autonomous car insurance for Tesla FSD, cutting per-mile rates by about 50% using real vehicle data and AI pricing models
New US-Canada tariffs raise auto, property, trade credit and business interruption exposures as insurers assess higher repair and supply chain costs
US insurance sector outlook for 2025-2026: capital strength, social inflation risks, P&C returns peak, Florida reforms, life insurance resilience and alt capital trends
Teen drivers face crash rates nearly 4x higher than adults. Safer vehicle choices and smart insurance decisions can lower risk and costs for families
AM Best keeps a stable outlook for commercial lines, citing strong results, rising investment income and tech-driven underwriting amid stress in liability and auto